The former first-round pick was the Nets’ most effective offensive player before he sustained the injury on December 20 against the 76ers. In 17 games this season he averaged 20.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 31.4 minutes.

Gasol, who is eight years older than Lopez, is a four-time NBA All-Star and a two-time NBA champion. The Spaniard is averaging 14.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 30.0 minutes per game this season.

As bad as the Lakers have been this season (13-18, 13th in the Western Conference), the Nets have been even worse. The high-priced team led by Jason Kidd, which was expected to compete for an NBA Championship this season, is 10-20 in the dismal Eastern Conference. Brooklyn is in third place in the Atlantic Division, four games behind the Toronto Raptors.

The Nets will take on the Spurs and the Thunder on the road this week.